New research from PTSB finds that over 52% of under-35s believe they will never be in a position to buy a home.
The survey (of 1,000 adults) also reveals that the majority of under-35s are now considering social housing and long-term renting in a bid to secure a home amid ongoing housing pressures.
PTSB’s annual Reflecting Ireland Housing and Homeownership 2026 report shows that attitudes towards the country’s housing situation are rapidly evolving, with 61% of under-35s considering social housing and 55% of the same cohort looking at long-term renting as ways to secure a home.
One in four renters, who previously had not considered social housing, are now open to it, PTSB said.
It also noted that long-term renting is not seen as a suitable option for a large majority of people, with less than a third saying long-term renting suits people like them.
But 55% of 25 to 34 year-olds say it suits people like them.
There has also been a significant increase in people considering switching mortgage and looking at ways to reduce monthly repayments, the latest research from the bank shows.
PTSB said that sentiment towards the housing market remains negative with 72% expressing concern about the current situation, slightly higher than last year’s level of 69%.
It noted that over nine in ten respondents think that house prices will continue to rise and that future generations will face even greater hurdles to homeownership.
It also points to a possible lag between public sentiment and data from the Central Statistics Office which shows a notable cooling in house price inflation more recently.
Leontia Fannin, Chief Sustainability and Corporate Affairs Officer at PTSB, said that the Reflecting Ireland Housing and Homeownership research highlights the challenges that continue to shape people’s housing decisions.
She said the findings show a clear shift in attitudes among younger adults, many of whom are increasingly considering alternatives such as long-term renting and social housing.
“This reflects the reality of today’s housing market and the hurdles many people continue to face on their journey to homeownership,” Ms Fannin said.
“The research also shows that mortgage holders are becoming more proactive in managing their finances, with growing awareness of the options available to reduce monthly repayments, including switching mortgage provider and making overpayments, and a greater focus on energy efficiency, retrofit supports and awareness of loan-to-value ratios,” she added.
Claire Cogan, Director at BehaviourWise, said the findings point to a clear psychological shift in how people are thinking about home ownership.
“For many younger adults, the traditional path to buying is no longer viewed as straightforward or guaranteed, and that is influencing what they see as realistic, acceptable or achievable,” she said.
“The increased openness to long-term renting, social housing and more flexible housing options suggests that people are broadening their definition of housing security in response to the market around them,” she added.